Joshua Tree - Nikon 35mm f1.8 FX

<p>A few from this past Fathers day. It was 99 degree at dusk, it was hot but I had a blast. Shot with my Nikon D800 & Nikon 35mm f1.8 FX.</p>

<p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Nikon-35mm-f18-FX/i-b4q5M9K/0/M/192-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="401" /><br>

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<img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Nikon-35mm-f18-FX/i-pnkBK5R/0/M/165-M.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="450" /></p>

<p>Both are very nice. The first is especially pleasing to the eyes.</p>

<p>Those images are pretty good, but they are underexposed. I checked the EXIF data, the vertical images was captured at f6.3, 1/320 sec, and ISO 400. I didn't expect such a fast shutter speed for evening landscape. Instead, I would bring the ISO down to the minimum 100 and use a slower shutter speed. Using a tripod would be a plus, but not absolutely necessary in this case.</p>

<p>Below is the original histogram and my edit to brighten up the image. The original histogram is almost entirely on the left side, showing underexposure. I think it looks better after brightening things up a bit as I attempted on the right side. Hopefully the OP has the original RAW files to work on.</p><div></div>

<p>Backlighting on landscapes is tricky, since the frontal light is all bounced from the sky and can look very flat. In addition to what Shun suggested in brightening the images slightly, my preference would be to alter the tone curve to deepen the shadows and create more contrast and saturation. As shown below.</p>

<p>Obviously, this is a matter of taste and I may have overdone the effect to show it more clearly. However, I'd encourage everyone to have a play with the curves tool, since it can have a dramatic effect on any image.</p><div></div>

Thanks for the tips. I'll try what the both of you have suggested.

<p>I just went back and checked the first (horizontal) image. The shutter speed is 1/60 sec and is not as underexposed. In fact, one may argue that it is already properly exposed. Whether you would like to increase the contrast and if so, by how much, is highly subjective. I kind of like the first image as it is.</p>

<p>Another issue to keep in mind is that in the second, vertical image, a road is visible in the middle. If you prefer it that way, it is fine. However, a lot of people wouldn't consider that an image of nature since it has a human-made road clearly in the middle.</p>

<p>This is great constructive critique. This is one of the main reasons I love this forum. I personally live by the histograms and the use of curves is my favorite. </p>